It was a wild and wet afternoon when we arrived at the 17th century bastide of Romégas and its garden. We were welcomed and told how the property had been restored over the last 40 years. The house lay down a very narrow lane with an even tighter entrance and driveway before the parking area on the old threshing floor, to the side of the buildings.
In front of the house was an impressive 18th century box parterre with a pool at its centre.
A narrow winding path led down through woods past a chapel, pools and an aviary. Eventually we emerged at the lower end of the gardens onto a wide grassy area that ran all the way back up to the house. With the woodland on one side and a scalloped border on the other, backed by cypress trees, the ensemble was very pleasing. Poppy fields bordered the garden. In nice weather, the vista over fields to the Mount Sainte-Victoire is said to be spectacular. Unfortunately, we will have to go back on another occasion to enjoy the view.
At the top of the garden there was a recently constructed kitchen garden surrounded by roses, with an orchard behind. Along the front of the house were some fine urns and at its side a stable block with a dove cote above.
It was a pity that the weather was so inclement but we still found it a lovely garden to visit.
Text and photographs: John and Jill Patterson